Arab FMs hold Israel responsible for peace deadlock

Arab foreign ministers held Israel fully responsible for the ongoing "dangerous stalemate" of the Middle East peace negotiations, they concluded on Wednesday after a meeting at the Arab League headquarters in Cairo. During the meeting, which was requested by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, the ministers held Israel responsible for the current peace deadlock due to its rejection of the two-state resolution that gives the Palestinians the right to establish their own independent state with east Jerusalem as its capital city. Israel has recently declined its commitment to release the fourth batch of Palestinian prisoners as previously agreed via negotiations brokered by U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry. Meanwhile Israel has announced building 700 settlement units in Gilo of east Jerusalem, which also led Kerry to blame the Israelis for a possible collapse of the Middle East peace talks. The Arab League appreciated Kerry's mediation and urged the United States to continue its efforts to resume Israeli- Palestinian negotiations in a way that would oblige Israel to keep its commitments. The Arab foreign ministers also rejected any demands to recognize Israel as a Jewish state and pressed Arab states to boycott companies and institutions that assist Israel in its settlement construction in the occupied lands. They further urged Arab states to immediately provide financial support for the Palestinians and activate safety network in the occupied territories.